sidneysheldon.astrangerinthemirror-第31章

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ok　sightseeing　flights　among　the　peaks；　skimming　Mont　Blanc　and　the　Matterhom。　They　skied　the　dazzling　white　slopes　and　rode　dog　sleds　and　attended　fondue　parties　and　danced。　Toby　had　never　been　so　happy。　He　had　found　the　woman　to　make　his　life　plete。　He　was　no　longer　lonely。　
　Toby　could　have　continued　the　honeymoon　forever；　but　Jill　was　eager　to　get　home。　She　was　not　interested　in　any　of　these　places；　nor　in　any　of　these　people。　She　felt　like　a　newly　crowned　queen　who　was　being　kept　from　her　country。　Jill　Castle　was　burning　to　return　to　Hollywood。　Mrs。　Toby　Temple　had　scores　to　settle。　
　
BOOK　THREE
　There　is　a　smell　to　failure。　It　is　a　stench　that　clings　like　a　miasma。　Just　as　dogs　can　detect　the　odor　of　fear　in　a　human　being；　so　people　can　sense　when　a　man　is　on　his　way　down。　Particularly　in　Hollywood。　Everyone　in　the　Business　knew　that　Clifton　Lawrence　was　finished；　even　before　he　knew　it。　They　could　smell　it　in　the　air　around　him。　Clifton　had　not　heard　from　Toby　or　Jill　in　the　week　since　they　had　returned　from　their　honeymoon。　He　had　sent　an　expensive　gift　and　had　left　three　telephone　messages；　which　had　been　ignored。　Jill。　Somehow　she　had　managed　to　turn　Toby's　mind　against　him。　Clifton　knew　that　he　had　to　effect　a　truce。　He　and　Toby　meant　too　much　to　each　other　to　let　anyone　e　between　them。　
　Clifton　drove　out　to　the　house　on　a　morning　when　he　knew　Toby　would　be　at　the　studio。　Jill　saw　him　ing　up　the　driveway　and　opened　the　door　for　him。　She　looked　stunningly　beautiful；　and　he　said　so。　She　was　friendly。　They　sat　in　the　garden　and　had　coffee；　and　she　told　him　about　the　honeymoon　and　the　places　they　had　been。　She　said；　
　〃I'm　sorry　Toby　hasn't　returned　your　calls；　Cliff。　You　can't　believe　how　frantic　it's　been　around　here。〃　She　smiled　apologetically；　and　Clifton　knew　then　that　he　had　been　wrong　about　her。　She　was　not　his　enemy。　
　〃I'd　like　us　to　start　fresh　and　be　friends；〃　he　said。　
　〃Thank　you；　Cliff。　So　would　I。〃　
　Clifton　felt　an　immeasurable　sense　of　relief。　〃I　want　to　give　a　dinner　party　for　you　and　Toby。　I'll　take　over　the　private　room　at　the　Bistro。　A　week　from　Saturday。　Black　tie；　a　hundred　of　your　most　intimate　friends。　How　does　that　sound？〃　
　〃Lovely。　Toby　will　be　pleased。〃
　
　Jill　waited　until　the　afternoon　of　the　party　to　telephone　and　say；　
　〃I'm　so　sorry。　Cliff。　I'm　afraid　I'm　not　going　to　be　able　to　make　it　tonight。　I'm　a　little　tired。　Toby　thinks　I　should　stay　home　and　rest。〃　
　Clifton　managed　to　hide　his　feelings。　〃I'm　sorry　about　that；　Jill；　but　I　understand。　Toby　will　be　able　to　e；　won't　he？〃　
　He　heard　her　sigh　over　the　telephone。　〃I'm　afraid　not；　dear　boy。　He　won't　go　anywhere　without　me。　But　you　have　a　nice　party。〃　
　And　she　hung　up。　It　was　too　late　to　call　off　the　party。　The　bill　was　three　thousand　dollars。　But　it　cost　Clifton　much　more　than　that。　He　had　been　stood　up　by　the　guest　of　honor；　his　one　and　only　client；　and　everyone　there；　the　studios　heads；　the　stars；　the　directors　　all　the　people　who　mattered　in　Hollywood　　were　aware　of　it。　Clifton　tried　to　cover　up　by　saying　that　Toby　was　not　feeling　well。　It　was　the　worst　thing　he　could　have　done。　When　he　picked　up　a　copy　of　the　Herald　Examiner　the　next　afternoon；　there　was　a　photograph　of　Mr。　and　Mrs。　Toby　Temple　that　had　been　taken　at　the　Dodgers　Stadium　the　night　before。　
　Clifton　Lawrence　knew　now　that　he　was　fighting　for　his　life。　If　Toby　dropped　him；　there　would　be　no　one　around　to　pick　him　up。　None　of　the　big　agencies　would　take　him　on；　because　he　could　bring　them　no　clients；　and　he　could　not　bear　the　thought　of　starting　all　over　again　on　his　own。　It　was　too　late　for　that。　He　had　to　find　a　way　to　make　peace　with　Jill。　He　telephoned　Jill　and　told　her　he　would　like　to　e　to　the　house　to　talk　to　her。　
　〃Of　course；〃　she　said。　〃I　was　telling　Toby　last　night　that　we　haven't　seen　enough　of　you　lately。〃　
　〃I'll　be　over　in　fifteen　minutes；〃　Clifton　said。　
　He　walked　over　to　the　liquor　cabinet　and　poured　himself　a　double　Scotch。　He　had　been　doing　too　much　of　that　lately。　It　was　a　bad　habit　to　drink　during　a　working　day；　but　who　was　he　kidding？　What　work？　Every　day　he　received　important　offers　for　Toby；　but　he　could　not　get　the　great　man　to　sit　down　and　even　discuss　them　with　him。　In　the　past；　they　had　talked　over　everything。　He　remembered　all　the　wonderful　times　they　had　had；　the　trips　they　had　taken；　the　parties　and　the　laughs　and　the　girls。　They　had　been　as　close　as　twins。　Toby　had　needed　him；　had　counted　on　him。　And　now。。。　Clifton　poured　another　drink　and　was　pleased　to　see　his　hands　were　not　trembling　so　much。　When　Clifton　arrived　at　the　Temples'　house；　Jill　was　seated　on　the　terrace；　having　coffee。　She　looked　up　and　smiled　as　she　saw　him　approach。　You're　a　salesman；　Clifton　told　himself。　Sell　her　on　you。　
　〃It's　nice　to　see　you。　Cliff。　Sit　down。〃　
　〃Thanks；　Jill。〃　He　took　a　seat　across　from　her　at　a　large　wrought…iron　table　and　studied　her。　She　was　wearing　a　white　summer　dress；　and　the　contrast　with　her　black　hair　and　golden；　tanned　skin　was　stunning。　She　looked　younger；　and　…　the　only　word　he　could　think　of　somehow　…　innocent。　She　was　watching　him　with　warm；　friendly　eyes。　
　〃Would　you　like　some　breakfast。　Cliff？〃　
　〃No；　thanks。　I　ate　hours　ago。〃　
　〃Toby　isn't　here。〃　
　〃I　know。　I　wanted　to　talk　to　you　alone。〃　
　〃What　can　I　do　for　you？〃　
　〃Accept　my　apology；〃　Clifton　urged。　He　had　never　begged　anyone　for　anything　in　his　life；　but　he　was　begging　now。　〃We　…I　got　off　on　the　wrong　foot。　Maybe　it　was　my　fault。　It　probably　was。　Toby's　been　my　client　and　my　friend　for　so　long　that　I　…　I　wanted　to　protect　him。　Can　you　understand　that？〃　
　Jill　nodded；　her　brown　eyes　fixed　on　him；　and　said；　〃Of　course。　Cliff。〃　
　He　took　a　deep　breath。　〃I　don't　know　whether　he　ever　told　you　the　story；　but　I'm　the　one　who　got　Toby　started。　I　knew　he　was　going　to　be　a　big　star　the　first　time　I　saw　him。〃　He　saw　that　he　had　her　full　attention。　〃I　handled　a　lot　of　important　clients　then；　Jill。　I　let　them　all　go　so　that　I　could　concentrate　on　Toby's　career。〃　
　〃Toby's　talked　to　me　about　how　much　you've　done　for　him；〃　she　said。　
　〃Has　he？〃　He　hated　the　eagerness　in　his　voice。　
　Jill　smiled。　〃He　told　me　about　the　day　he　pretended　that　Sam　Goldwyn　telephoned　you　and　how　you　went　to　see　Toby　anyway。　That　was　nice。〃　
　Clifton　leaned　forward　and　said；　〃I　don't　want　anything　to　happen　to　the　relationship　that　Toby　and　I　have。　I　need　you　in　my　corner。　I'm　asking　you　to　forget　everything　that　happened　between　us。　I　apologize　for　being　out　of　line。　I　thought　I　was　protecting　Toby。　Well；　I　was　wrong。　I　think　you're　going　to　be　great　for　him。〃　
　〃I　want　to　be。　Very　much。〃　
　〃If　Toby　drops　me；　I　　I　think　it　would　kill　me。　I'm　not　just　talking　about　business。　He　and　I　have　　he's　been　like　a　son　to　me。　I　love　him。〃　He　despised　himself　for　it；　but　he　heard　himself　begging　again。　〃Please；　Jill；　for　God's　sake。。。〃　He　stopped；　his　voice　choked。　
　She　looked　at　him　a　long　moment　with　those　deep　brown　eyes　and　then　held　out　her　hand。　〃I　don't　hold　grudges；〃　Jill　said。　〃Can　you　e　to　dinner　tomorrow　night？〃　
　Clifton　took　a　deep　breath　and　then　smiled　happily　and　said；　〃Thanks。〃　He　found　that　his　eyes　were　suddenly　misty。　〃I　　I　won't　forget　this。　Ever。〃　The　following　morning；　when　Clifton　arrived　at　his　office；　there　was　a　registered　letter　notifying　him　that　his　services　had　been　terminated　and　that　he　no　longer　had　the　authority　to　act　as　Toby　Temple's　agent。　
　
　Jill　Castle　Temple　was　the　most　exciting　thing　to　hit　Hollywood　since　Cinemascope。　In　a　pany　town　where　everyone　played　the　game　of　admiring　the　emperor's　clothes；　Jill　used　her　tongue　like　a　scythe。　In　a　city　where　flattery　was　the　daily　currency　of　conversation；　Jill　fearlessly　spoke　her　mind。　She　had　Toby　beside　her　and　she　brandished　his　power　like　a　club；　attacking　all　the　important　studio　executives。　They　had　never　experienced　anything　like　it　before。　They　did　not　dare　offend　Jill；　because　they　did　not　want　to　offend　Toby。　He　was　Hollywood's　most　bankable　star；　and　they　wanted　him；　needed　him。　Toby　was　bigger　than　ever。　His　television　show　was　still　number　one　in　the　Nielsen　Ratings　every　week；　his　movies　were　enormous　money　makers；　and　when　Toby　played　Las　Vegas；　the　casinos　doubled　their　profits。　Toby　was　the　hottest　property　in　show　business。　They　wanted　him　for　guest　shots；　record　albums；　personal　appearances；　merchandising；　benefits；　movies；　they　wanted　they　wanted　they　wanted。　The　most　important　people　in　town　fell　all　over　themselves　to　please　Toby。　They　quickly　learned　that　the　way　to　please　Toby　was　to　please　Jill。　She　began　to　schedule　all　of　Toby's　appointments　herself　and　to　organize　his　life　so　that　there　was　room　in　it　only　for　those　of　whom　she　approved。　She　put　up　an　impenetrable　barricade　around　him；　and　none　but　the　rich　and　famous　and　the　powerful　were　allowed　to　go　through　it。　She　was　the　keeper　of　the　flame。　The　little　Polish　girl　from　Odessa；　Texas；　entertained　and　was　entertained　by　governors；　ambassadors；　world…renowned　artists　and　the　President　of　the　United　States。　This　town　had　done　terrible　things　to　her。　But　it　would　never　do　them　again。　Not　as　long　as　she　had　Toby　Temple。　
　The　people　who　were　in　real　trouble　were　the　ones　on　Jill's　hate　list。　She　lay　in　bed　with　Toby　and　made　sensuous　love　to　him。　When　Toby　was　relaxed　and　spent；　she　snuggled　in　his　arms　and　said；　
　〃Darling；　did　I　ever　tell　you　about　the　time　I　was　looking　for　an　agent　and　I　went　to　this　woman　…　what　was　her　name？　…　oh；　yes！　Rose　Dunning。　She　told　me　she　had　a　part　for　me　and　she　sat　down　on　her　bed　to　read　with　me。〃　
　Toby　turned　to　look　at　her；　his　eyes　narrowing。　〃What　happened？〃　
　Jill　smiled。　〃Stupid　innocent　that　I　was；　while　I　was　reading；　I　felt　her　hand　go　up　my　thigh。〃　Jill　threw　back　her　head　and　laughed。　〃I　was　frightened　out　of　my　wits。　I've　never　run　so　fast　in　my　life。〃　
　Ten　days　later；　Rose　Dunning's　agency　license　was　permanently　revoked　by　the　City　Licensing　mission。　
　The　following　weekend；　Toby　and　Jill　were　at　their　house　in　Palm　Springs。　Toby　was　lying　on　a　massage　table　in　a　patio；　a　heavy　Turkish　towel　under　him；　while　Jill　gave　him　a　long；　relaxing　massage。　Toby　was　on　his　back；　cotton　pads　protecting　his　eyes　against　the　strong　rays　of　the　sun。　Jill　was　working　on　his　feet；　using　a　soft　creamy　lotion。　
　〃You　sure　opened　my　eyes　about　Cliff；〃　Toby　said。　〃He　was　nothing　but　a　parasite；　milking　me。　I　hear　he's　going　around　town　trying　to　get　himself　a　partnership　deal。　No　one　wants　him。　He　can't　get　himself　arrested　without　me。〃　
　Jill　paused　a　moment　and　said；　〃I　feel　sorry　for　Cliff。〃　
　〃That's　the　god　damned　trouble　with　you；　sweetheart。　You　think　with　your　heart　instead　of　your　head。　You've　got　to　learn　to　be　tougher。〃　
　Jill　smiled　quietly。　〃I　can't　help　it。　I'm　the　way　I　am。〃　She　started　to　work　on　Toby's　legs；　moving　her　hands　slowly　up　toward　his　thighs　with　light；　sensuous　movements。　He　began　to　have　an　erection。　〃Oh；　Jesus；〃　he　moaned。　Her　hands　were　moving　higher　now；　moving　toward　Toby's　groin；　and　the　hardness　increased。　She　slid　her　hands　between　his　legs；　underneath　him；　and　slipped　a　creamy　finger　inside　him。　His　enormous　penis　was　rock　hard。　〃Quick；　baby；〃　he　said。　〃Get　on　top　of　me。〃　
　They　were　at　the　marina；　on　the　f